NHVR’s PBS network expands coverage across 14 local councils in NSW
The Central New South Wales Councils group (Centroc) has agreed to participate in the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR’s) performance based standards (PBS) network for heavy vehicles.
Centroc represents 14 member councils including, Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Hilltops, Lachlan, Lithgow, Oberon, Orange, Parkes, Upper Lachlan and Weddin.
NHVR states the decision is a result of last week’s meeting in Orange, where the regulator outlined how PBS vehicles can reduce red tape for local authorities while ensuring heavy vehicles on local roads operate safely and in compliance with the Heavy Vehicle National Law.
The PBS scheme is designed to help operators achieve greater payloads using different truck and trailer combinations once they receive safety and road friendliness approvals.
NHVR industry engagement manager John Gilbert says Centroc’s adoption of the PBS scheme will encourage more certainty for businesses.
“This will allow more flexibility in the movement for innovative heavy vehicles which are the workhorses of the freight task in the Central West for agricultural and extractive industries that support local construction jobs,” Gilbert says.
“These vehicles can deliver the same amount in less truck trips with reduced emissions and reduced impact on local roads for the same freight task.”
Last month, the regulator released a new video, titled PBS: The Big Picture, to spread its productivity and safety message across local councils.
“Every route added to the PBS network reduces red tape by cutting the number of permits required,” Gilbert says.
“Centroc’s member councils have given consideration to this advice and are supporting the PBS network which means a reduction of hundreds of permits a year in central NSW.
“The councils involved have embraced the superior performance of the high productivity heavy vehicles administered by the NHVR under the PBS program.”
Centroc chairman Bill West says councils will benefit by joining the PBS network, which offers greater efficiency without compromising on safety.
“Residents would reap the benefits through safer roads and more efficient local industries,” West says.
Since taking over the management of the PBS scheme, NHVR states that it has met with more than half of all local authorities across Queensland, NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.
By April this year, up to 90 councils had already issues pre-approvals for 1 and 2A vehicles on their local road networks.